Today, King Charles is set to deliver a pivotal speech to Parliament, marking the beginning of the new Labour government’s legislative agenda for the year ahead. This address is highly anticipated following Labour’s recent electoral success, with expectations for around 40 draft laws that ministers aim to introduce in the coming months.
The speech is expected to delve into a wide array of crucial issues affecting the nation. Topics likely to be highlighted include measures concerning illegal migration and reforms aimed at bolstering workers’ rights. Additionally, the government is poised to unveil plans for the establishment of a new energy company, as well as considerations for railway nationalisation to enhance transportation infrastructure.
Crime and punishment reforms are also anticipated to be outlined, reflecting Labour’s commitment to addressing societal concerns. Moreover, the speech is expected to touch upon budgetary rules, initiatives to improve mental health support, and measures aimed at enhancing online safety in an increasingly digital world.
Furthermore, the government’s agenda is likely to encompass reforms in democracy and devolution, aiming to empower local communities. Education reforms are also set to be a focal point, with proposed changes aimed at improving educational outcomes and accessibility for all.
In the realm of housing and urban planning, the speech is expected to address strategies to tackle housing shortages and promote sustainable urban development. These initiatives are part of Labour’s broader vision to address pressing societal challenges and deliver meaningful reforms across various sectors of governance.
Labour’s housing and planning policies reflect their electoral promises and criticisms of the previous Tory administration’s handling of housing issues. One of their immediate pledges is to ban Section 21 evictions, a commitment highlighted in their manifesto. They have been vocal about their discontent with the Tory government’s failure to pass the Renters Reform Bill before the election, viewing it as a delay in protecting tenants’ rights.
Moreover, Labour plans to extend Awaab’s Law, a set of stringent building safety regulations initially aimed at social tenants, to encompass private renters as well. This move underscores their broader agenda to enhance housing standards across different sectors of the rental market.
The government’s upcoming legislative agenda, to be outlined in King Charles’s parliamentary speech, will also place significant focus on reforming England’s planning system. While the exact number of proposed laws in this area is yet unclear, experts like Fergus Charlton, a partner at Michlemores specializing in planning law, foresee a robust approach. Charlton highlights the government’s intention to streamline planning procedures, establish transparent targets, and facilitate the development of new land—a strategy aimed at bolstering both housing supply and infrastructure development.
In summary, Labour’s ambitious housing and planning initiatives signal a proactive stance towards addressing longstanding issues in the housing sector. With promises to ban eviction practices, extend building safety laws, and reform planning regulations, the new government aims to set a comprehensive agenda that could reshape the landscape of housing policies in the coming months.
“However, renaming the green belt as the grey belt will undoubtedly spark controversy. Powerful interest groups view the green belt as sacred, making any rebranding effort challenging. Success hinges on the persuasiveness of the policy details; if new developments in the grey belt still require ‘very special circumstances’ for approval, little may change.”
The reintroduction of mandatory housing targets for local councils is seen as a positive move by Charlton. “This top-down approach historically motivates local authorities to approve more construction projects,” he noted. “Clear targets could help overcome local opposition and NIMBYism that frequently hinder development. Reforming the compensation rules for compulsory land purchases, by valuing land based on its current market worth rather than its potential value with planning permission, could lower costs for councils acquiring land for regeneration and affordable housing.”
Looking forward to the planning reform and the housebuilding bill, Elli Moody, director of policy, campaigns, and communications at CPRE, expressed cautious optimism: “We appreciate Labour’s ambition to address our urgent housing needs. However, the focus should begin with the 1.2 million potential homes that could be developed on shovel-ready brownfield sites across England.”
Moody emphasized the importance of preserving the Green Belt, which serves as vital countryside for 30 million UK residents and provides significant benefits such as food security, physical and mental health, and biodiversity conservation. “Protecting the Green Belt must remain a cornerstone of any policy framework,” she asserted.
Concerning developments on the Green Belt, Moody highlighted past issues: “New housing on the Green Belt has often failed to be genuinely affordable and has led to car-dependent communities distant from public transport and essential infrastructure.”
She stressed the need for policy targets that prioritize genuinely affordable and social housing within existing communities. “The definition of ‘affordable’ housing should align with local incomes rather than market rates,” Moody suggested.
Moody concluded by advocating for a strategic land-use framework that optimizes the limited land supply while safeguarding the Green Belt for future generations. “We support Labour’s emphasis on plan-led development and urge Local Plans to integrate ambitious net-zero and environmental targets,” she added.